As belly dancing is essentially a physical exercise which includes physical exertion it provides different health benefits as well.

These benefits include: –

Weight loss- It can help in losing weight and it is said that it can burn up to 300 calories in one hour. However, this depends on the intensity of the dancing and a healthy diet is also required. But, the combination of a healthy diet and regular belly dancing can lead to weight loss

Relief from back pain and joint pain- while performing the dance, the movements such as hip drops and shimmies put the joints and ligaments in the lower back and hip through a varied range of delicate, repeated movement. These movements help increment in the stream of synovial fluid in these joints. At one point when these movements are done in the way, the pelvis is tipped forward, or tucked to some degree; in an unbiased position that can help counteract lower back issues. Belly dance can induce stress relief to the back, balancing the relatively consistent pressure of the disks in our body that happens from continuous sitting and a stationary way of life. These conditioned muscles enhance posture and help avert back agony that can be caused by the unnatural bending forward of the spine that happens when muscles in the body are frail.

Stress relief- Continuous spinning and swaying can slip an individual into a state of dance-meditation. The dancer frequently finds that a session of graceful moving will clear the psyche and initiate a condition of mental unwinding. The speedier types of belly dance are invigorating and fun, and either slow or quick belly dancing can be valuable in cases of anxiety or mild depression.

Helps in the child birth process- As it is a dance specifically designed for a feminine or in particular a woman’s body it can help in the process of childbirth as well. Belly dancing makes for a magnificent prenatal exercise regimen that reinforces the muscles utilized during the childbirth procedure. The conditioned stomach muscles and normal hip tucks, which similar to the pelvic rocking instructed during prenatal classes, educate the expecting mother about how to move her pelvis. For ladies who want natural childbirth, this type of activity through dancing, with its accentuation on muscle control encourages regular childbirth, as well as makes for a superb post-natal exercise that energizes stomach tone. After giving birth, it is required to recuperate from the birth procedure and these developments work the muscles tenderly and successfully, if done step by step.

Increases bone density- Since the woman is on her feet and constantly moving during the dance, it is considered as a weight-bearing activity. Weight-bearing activity can avoid osteoporosis and reinforce bones. It is also biologically known that women tend have low calcium in their bones leading to low bone density. Thus belly dancing can help increase bone density in women.

Belly dancing finds its roots in ancient India and the middle east. It involves the graceful and sensuous movement of the belly to the rhythm of the music. Belly dancers use the natural structure of their bodies with movements emanating from the torso. Belly dancing is most often performed barefoot, and it is perceived by numerous as to emphasize on the intimate physical association between the artist, her appearance, and Mother Earth. Contrary to popular belief belly dancing wasn’t an art created to entertain men but in reality, it was performed by women for women during weddings and baby showers.

What are the different styles of belly dancing?

Baladi style belly dancing- It is an Egyptian style of belly dancing. In this style the movements are kept more natural and grounded, with simple steps. The arms are generally held by the side with elbows slightly bent. It is more of a flowy style of belly dance which is playful and flirtatious. It has a strong folklore influence and involves dancing on flat feet and tip toes. It can be considered a bit cheeky and funky style of belly dancing.

Rakass style Belly dancing- It is a Turkish style of belly dancing which has a Romany heritage. The dancer is called a Rakassa. This style is very dynamic, energetic and flamboyant. The movements are bold, strong and faster than most other styles of belly dancing. The dancer also indulges in a lot of hair tosses and spins. Belly rolls are very common in the Turkish style and two famous Turkish dance moves are the Turkish backbend and the Turkish drop. It also involves a lot of tricks and gimmicks and complicated techniques.

American tribal style belly dancing- This was invented in the west coast of America. It is performed in groups and is based on the idea of improvisation. One member generally leads the improvisation and gives the cues and signals to the other dancers. The dance is performed in a way in which in looks seamless and fluid. In This type of belly dance there are duet and solo performances while the other dancers of the group perform in the background simultaneously.

Zambra Mora style of belly dancing- It also known as the flamenco fusion. Zambra mora is a form of flamenco music. The dancers fuse their dance to this form of music. The music has a middle eastern melody and fusion. These dance steps involve heavy travel steps and characteristic turns.

Gothic style belly dancing- The dance vocabulary of the Gothic joins components of belly dance with a few impacts of different world styles, for example, flamenco, Indian dance and gypsy. In any case, Gothic belly dancers include an atmosphere of intensity and drama to their exhibitions, to express the mysteries of life, death and endlessness as would expected of a Gothic style. Gothic belly dance exhibitions are trance like and extremely intense.

“Dance as the narration of a magical story; that recites on lips, illuminates imaginations and embraces the most sacred depths of souls.”